Retort bumping machine

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for dislodging (herein: &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;bumping&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;) loam, zinc oxide and the like from a horizontal retort furnace employs a main frame mounted for horizontal translation about the retort orifice plane. A cleaning tool head portion is disposed on a rotating shaft which projects through a vertical slot in a heat shield secured to the apparatus frame. The tool head portion includes plural radially extending reaming and facing members for removing material retained within and about the front retort areas.

United States Patent 1191 Brown [54] RETORT BUMPING MACHINE [75] lnventor: Laddie L. Brown, Blackwell, Okla.

[73] Assignee: American Metal Climax, Inc., New

York, NY.

[22] Filed: May 3, 1971 [21] App]. No.: 139,383

521 user .....l5/104.1R 511 1m.c1. ..B08b 9/02 [58] Field 0fSearch.........15/104.02, 104.03, 104.05, 15/1041, 104.14, 93; 202/241; 165/94, 95;

[56] References Cited 141 111311 STATES PATENTS 2,931,659 4/1960 Harbordt et al. ..15/104.1 R

1451 Feb. 6, 1973 3,354,490 11/1967 Masters eta] ..15/104.1 R

Primary Examiner-Edward L. Roberts Attorney-Kasper T. Serijan and Eugene J. Kalil [5 7'] ABSTRACT Apparatus for dislodging (herein: bumping) loam, zinc oxide and the like from a horizontal retort furnace employs a main frame mounted for horizontal translation about the retort orifice plane. A cleaning tool head portion is disposed on a rotating shaft which projects through a vertical slot in a heat shield secured to the apparatus frame. The tool head portion includes plural radially extending reaming and facing members for removing material retained within and about the front retort areas.

9 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures ammnfsb All? i Jail/ICE PATENTEI] FEB 6 ma INVENTOR.

RETORT BUMPING MACHINE DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION This invention relates to horizontal retort furnace apparatus and, more specifically, to improved apparatus for removing residual matter from the orifice portion of the retorts prior to retort charging.

Horizontal retort furnaces for zinc smelting typically employ a matrix array of regularly spaced, horizontally disposed retorts formed of a refractory material. For an operative zinc recovery operation, a metallic or zinc oxide ore charge is loaded into each retort together with other constituents, including, inter alia, a reducing fuel such as anthracite, coke, or the like. A refractory condenser is then placed in the orifice of the retort and a sealing material, called loam (a mixture of sinter, coal and other materials), is packed about the condenser and the retort junction.

During the early stages of the furnace heating cycle,

the loam effects a seal about the mouth of the retort to prevent escape of the zinc vapor later developed during smelting. Following the operative furnace cycle, the loam (and zinc oxide) seal is broken and the condenser is separated from each retort. The contents of the retort are then removed.

Before recharging the retort to initiate a new cycle of operation, the encrusted loam and zinc oxide in and about the orifice zone of each retort must be removed to permit retort recharging, reinstalling the condenser and resealing. This function has heretofore been effected by an attendant employing a special bumping bar to manually strike and remove loam from the front face of each retort, and zinc oxide from the inner retort mouth area. This bumping function is extremely ar-.

an improved retort cleaning arrangement.

' More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to, provide improved retort cleaning (bumping) apparatus for effecting mechanical retort cleaning, and for reducing the heat exposure of an operator therefor.

The above and other objects of the present invention are realized in specific, illustrative retort cleaning apparatus adapted to translate, as on roller-engaging tracks, about the vertical retort face plane. The arrangement employs a rotary driven shaft, adjustably suspended from a main frame, which includes plural reaming and facing elements on one end thereof. The

shaft and its appendant cleaning elements vertically translate through a correspondingly-oriented slot in a heatshield, and are laterally moveable along the track to operatively service each retort position.

The rotating reaming elements penetrate within each from the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment thereof, presented hereinbelow in' conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 depicts composite retort cleaning apparatus embodying the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates cleaning tool head structure employed in the FIG. 1 arrangement; and

FIG. 3 is a side view in elevation of the cleaning tool head showing more clearly the mounting of one of the reaming blades, the other blades being omitted for clarity.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown the face plane 10 of a horizontal retort furnace including thereon a plurality of retorts l2, typically formed of a refractory material. As discussed hereinabove, the several retorts 12 are charges when operative with a zinc ore and a reducing fuel among other constituents, and have a condenser and condenser-retort loam seal impressed therein for zinc recovery during a furnace firing cycle.

Two tracks 48 are disposed above and below the retort array, and a retort cleaning apparatus main frame 40 engages the tracks, as by rollers 46 and a lower guide 47, for horizontal rolling translation therealong. Secured to the frame 40 are a heat shield 44, formed of any well-known construction therefor, and a cleaning tool assembly 70, suspended from the frame via a hoist cable 60 secured to hinged, extendable members 42.

The tool assembly includes a tool frame 71, including operator-gripping handles 72 and 73 thereon, which supports a hoist cable drive motor 79, a drive shaft 50 which projects through a vertical slot 63 in the heat shield, and a motor 77 for rotating the shaft 50. The motors 77 and 79 may be actuated by any conventional energy source, e.g., pneumatic motors energized by a compressed air source 80. For operator convenience, a control 74 for actuating the hoist motor 79 to raise or lower the tool assembly 70 is located near the handle 72 such that the motor may be actuated while the operator maintains control over the composite assembly 70. Similarly, the shaft rotating motor 77 is controlled by a control (for either discrete or continuous revolution rate adjustment) at the handle 73.

A tool head assembly 51 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and comprises spaced end plates 52 and 53 secured to the shaft 50. A plurality of operative work piece members or blades'formed of a reaming portion 56 and a facing portion 58 are rotatably disposed between the plates 52 and 53 as by pins 54 that are preferably hollow.(note also FIG. 3). The reaming blades 56 include a tapered front edge surface 57 to facilitate entry of the tool head into the encrusted retort 12. The blades are preferably loosely held by pins 54 as-shown in FIG. 3 and are clear of the shaft.

To operate the composite apparatus, the operator grips the handles 72 and 73 and slides the main frame 40, together with all equipment supported therefrom, such that the vertical slot 63 is aligned with a column of retorts which requires bumping, i .e,, loam and zinc oxide removal. The operator then operates the hoist motor 79 in an appropriate direction via the control 74 to align the tool head 51 with the orifice of a particular retort-12.

The motor 77 is energized .and rotates the shaft50 and the tool head assembly 51, the composite structure 70 e 51 being urged by the operatorforward', toward and. into the mouthof the retort. Insertion of the tool head into the retort orifice is aided by the tapered guide surfaces 57 of the remaining elements, the members 56 and 58 also being urged radially outward about the pins 54 by centrifugal force. As the reaming members 56 penetrate into the retort, the loam, zinc oxide and the like is detached from the retort by mechanical interaction with the rotating radially outward edges and surfaces of these members, thereby cleaning the inner periphery of the retort. Similarly, the facing tool por-, tions 58 bear against the front face of the retort to remove loam therefrom, the retort face being made substantially free of such deposits when the tool head is fully disposed within the retort. I

After cleaning is completed, the tool head portion 51 is withdrawn from the retort area by extending the pivoting members 42, and the hoist motor 79 again actuated to align the bumping arrangement with another retort 12 in the retort column, whereupon the cleaning process is repeated. Further, when all retorts in any column thereof have been serviced, the composite frame 40 structure is laterally moved on the tracks 48 until a new retort column is aligned with the heat screen slot 63. These retort positions are then accommodated in the above-described manner.

The'apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and discussed hereinabove, thus effects removal of loam, zinc oxide and any other residual material in an improved, automated manner, wherein a single operator can rapidly and efficiently service an array of retorts with a lowered heat exposure.

In summary,-the apparatus provided by the present invention facilitates residual loam and zinc oxide removal from a horizontal zinc retort furnace. A main frame translates about the retort face plane along tracks'therefor, and a heat screen and tool subframe areaffixed to the main frame. The operative tool assembly includes a drive shaft for propelling reamer and facing tool elements into mechanical engagement to remove matter retained about the retort face and mouth area during a previous smelting cycle, and to thus condition the retort to undergo a new zinc ore processing operation.

As stated herein, it is preferred that the reaming blades be loosely and rotatably mounted longitudinally between end plates 52, 53. The blades are preferably made of wear and abrasion resistant steel. An example of such a steel is directly hardened high-alloy steels, such as D2 high-carbon, high chromium tool steels l .5

percent carbon, 12 percent chromium and the'balance iron and residuals). The blade maybe made by welding together three pieces corresponding to reamer portion 56-, root portion 56A and facing portion 58 which is contiguous to reamer portion 56. On the other hand, the entire blade can be cast as one unitary piece. Thus,

as the shaft rotates, the blades fly out centrifugally and the reaming portion gradually extends out to the inner diameter of the retort as material is removed.

Preferably, shaft 50 is hollow and communicates with air passages 53A in end plate 53 and hollow pins 54 for expelling air within and between loosely fitting plurality of reaming blades radially and rotatably mounted longitudinally between said end plates, such that the blades are urged radially outward upon rotation of the shaft. By spacing the blades away from the shaft, the blowing away of dislodged material is easily facilitated.

The apparatus presented in detail herein is merely descriptive of the principles of the present invention. Numerous modifications and adaptations thereof will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:

1. The combination in apparatus for removing residual materials adhering to an array of retorts included in a horizontal retort furnace, the opening parts of said retorts defining a retort face plane, said apparatus comprising frame means, means for enabling horizontal translation of said frame means about the retort face plane, a heat shield affixed to said frame means said heat shield including a vertical slot, tool as-- sembly means, means for suspending said tool assembly means from said frame means, said tool assembly means including a rotatable shaft, said rotatable shaft passing through said vertical slot, a motor for rotating said shaft, and tool head means including reaming means and facing means secured to said shaft for engaging said retorts and for bumping the residual materials therefrom.

2. The combination as in claim 1, wherein said tool assembly suspending means comprises a cable, and additional motor means for varying the operative length of said cable for variably positioning said tool assembly means.

3. The combination as in claim 2, wherein said tool assembly suspending means further comprises hinged, extendable means secured to said frame means, said cable having one end thereof affixed to said extendable means.

4. A combination as in claim 1, wherein said horizontal travel enabling means comprises track means and roller-guide means affixed to said frame means forengaging said track means.

5. A combination as in claim 1, wherein said reaming and facing tool head means comprises plural pivoted bumping tool means disposed about said shaft, each of said bumping toolmeans including a reaming portion anda facing portion, said facing portion being radially larger when extended than said reaming tool portion, said facing portion being disposed intermediate said reaming tool portion and said frame means.

6. A combination as in claim 5 wherein each of said reaming tool portions including an inclined front guide surface.

7. The combination in apparatus for removing residual materials adhering to an array of retorts included in a horizontal retort furnace, comprising frame means, track and guide means for enabling horizontal translation of saidframe means about said retorts, a heat shield including vertical slot means included on said frame means, tool assembly means, means for adjustably suspending said tool assembly means from said frame means, said tool assembly means including a shaft passing through said heat shield slot, a motor for rotating said shaft, and tool head means secured to said I shaft for engaging said retorts and for removing the residual materials therefrom, said tool head means comprising plural pivoted bumping tool means disposed about said shaft, each of said bumping tool means including a reaming portion and a facing portion, said facing portion being radially larger when extended than said reaming tool portion, said facing portion being disposed intermediate said reaming tool porare urged radially outward upon the rotation of said shaft, said blades comprising a reaming portion adapted to enter and clean a retort and an enlarged facing portion contiguous to one end of said reaming portion opposite the retort entering portion and extending radially beyond said portion for cleaning an end face of said retort.

9. The cleaning tool head of claim 9, wherein the shaft is hollow for receiving a stream of air therein and wherein one of said end plates has air passageways therein communicating with said hollow shaft for expelling air between said rotatably mounted blades for blowing away material dislodged by said blades. 

1. The combination in apparatus for removing residual materials adhering to an array of retorts included in a horizontal retort furnace, the opening parts of said retorts defining a retort face plane, said apparatus comprising frame means, means for enabling horizontal translation of said frame means about the retort face plane, a heat shield affixed to said frame means, said heat shield including a vertical slot, tool assembly means, means for suspending said tool assembly means from said frame means, said tool assembly means including a rotatable shaft, said rotatable shaft passing through said vertical slot, a motor for rotating said shaft, and tool head means including reaming means and facing means secured to said shaft for engaging said retorts and for bumping the residual materials therefrom.
 1. The combination in apparatus for removing residual materials adhering to an array of retorts included in a horizontal retort furnace, the opening parts of said retorts defining a retort face plane, said apparatus comprising frame means, means for enabling horizontal translation of said frame means about the retort face plane, a heat shield affixed to said frame means, said heat shield including a vertical slot, tool assembly means, means for suspending said tool assembly means from said frame means, said tool assembly means including a rotatable shaft, said rotatable shaft passing through said vertical slot, a motor for rotating said shaft, and tool head means including reaming means and facing means secured to said shaft for engaging said retorts and for bumping the residual materials therefrom.
 2. The combination as in claim 1, wherein said tool assembly suspending means comprises a cable, and additional motor means for varying the operative length of said cable for variably positioning said tool assembly means.
 3. The combination as in claim 2, wherein said tool assembly suspending means further comprises hinged, extendable means secured to said frame means, said cable having one end thereof affixed to said extendable means.
 4. A combination as in claim 1, wherein said horizontal travel enabling means comprises track means and roller-guide means affixed to said frame means for engaging said track means.
 5. A combination as in claim 1, wherein said reaming and facing tool head means comprises plural pivoted bumping tool means disposed about said shaft, each of said bumping tool means including a reaming portion and a facing portion, said facing portion being radially larger when extended than said reaming tool portion, said facing portion being disposed intermediate said reaming tool portion and said frame means.
 6. A combination as in claim 5 wherein each of said reaming tool portions including an inclined front guide surface.
 7. The combination in apparatus for removing residual materials adhering to an array of retorts included in a horizontal retort furnace, comprising frame means, track and guide means for enabling horizontal translation of said frame means about said retorts, a heat shield including vertical slot means included on said frame means, tool assembly means, means for adjustably suspending said tool assembly means from said frame means, said tool assembly means including a shaft passing through said heat shield slot, a motor for rotating said shaft, and tool head means secured to said shaft for engaging said retorts and for removing the residual materials therefrom, said tool head means comprising plural pivoted bumping tool means disposed about said shaft, each of said bumping tool means including a reaming portion and a facing portion, said facing portion being radially larger when extended than said reaming tool portion, said facing portion being disposed intermediate said reaming tool portion and said frame means.
 8. A cleaning tool head for removing residual materials adhering to a cylindrical retort included among an array of retorts in a horizontal retort furnace which comprises, a rotatable shaft, a pair of spaced end plates adjacent one end of said shaft, and a plurality of reaming blades radially and rotatably mounted longitudinally between said end plates, such that the blades are urged radially outward upon the rotation of said shaft, said blades comprising a reaming portion adapted to enter and clean a retort and an enlarged facing portion contiguous to one end of said reaming portion opposite the retort entering portion and extending radially beyond said portion for cleaning an end face of said retort. 